MODE OF ADMINISTERING MEDICINE.
Medicines given together should be combined with a definite purpose in regard to each article in the formula. Remedies of the same general character may be given together in order to increase their efficacy. In F. 74 there are several aromatics because a small amount of each when combined, will be more certain in their action than a large amount of one kind, and at the same time they will be less irritating.
The effects of one medicine are in many cases increased by the influence of another in augmenting the natural susceptibility of the system to its action.
One medicine is given with another to counteract the more disagreeable effects of the more active one.
One medicine is sometimes given as a vehicle for another; perhaps to cover the disagreeable taste or odor and to render the medicine acceptable to the stomach. For example, the aromatics and ammonia in F. 74 are much more agreeable to the stomach than either of them would be separately.
In the mixing of medicines care should be taken that they are neither chemically nor physiologically incompatible. When the action of an acid is desired, an alkali should not be given at the same time, as they unite to form a compound different from either. A soluble salt should not be given with another, or with an acid that would decompose it, and produce an inert compound. If medicines are given that have an apparent physiological incompatibility, it should be with a full understanding of their effects, and with reference to them. The FORM in which medicine is given must vary according to the nature of the medicine, the taste of the patient, or the condition of his stomach, as it is always desirable to have it so that it can be swallowed without difficulty.
The physician should always write his prescription with neatness, order and precision, but it will be found an advantage to the nurse to have a ready comprehension of the symbols and abbreviations used in writing prescriptions. Hence I have appended a table designed to explain the signs and abbreviations habitually used. Ordinarily the Roman numerals are employed, and follow always the symbols to which they relate. A glossary which will include some latin terms will hereafter be added.
| Sign or Abbreviation. | LATIN WORD. | ENGLISH WORD. |
|---|---|---|
| ℔ | Libra or libræ. | A pound or pounds. |
| ℥ | Uncia or unciæ. | An ounce or ounces. |
| ʒ | Drachma or drachmæ. | A drachm or drachms |
| ℈ | Scrupulus or scrupuli. | A scruple or scruples |
| aa. | Ana. | Of each. |
| Add. | Adda. | Add to it. |
| Ad. saturand | Ad saturandum. | Until saturated. |
| Ad. lib. | Ad libitum. | At pleasure. |
| Alt. hor. | Alternis horis. | Alternate hours. |
| Ante Cib. | Ante cibum. | Before food. |
| Aq. ferv. | Aqua fervens. | Hot water. |
| Aq. pluv. | Aqua pluvialis. | Rain water. |
| Aq. pur. | Aqu pura. | Pure water. |
| Aq. tepida. | Aqua tepida. | Tepid water. |
| Bis die. | Bis die. | Twice a day. |
| Bull. | Bulliat. | Let it boil. |
| Cap. | Copiat. | Let him take. |
| Coch. mag. | Cochlear magraum. | A large spoonful. |
| Coch. parv. | Cochlear parvum. | A tea spoonful. |
| Colent. | Colentur. | Let them be strained |
| Collyr. | Collyrium. | An eye water. |
| Comp. or Co. | Compositus. | Compound. |
| Contus. | Contusus. | Bruised or crushed. |
| Cong. | Congius or Congii. | A gallon or gallons. |
| Decoct. | Decoctum. | A decoction. |
| Det. | Detur. | Let it be given |
| Dil. | Dilutus. | Dilute. |
| Div. in p. æq. | Divitur in partes æqualis. | Divide in equal parts |
| Duo. | Duo. | Two. |
| Ft. | Fiat. | Let them be made. |
| Garg. | Gargarisma. | A gargle |
| Gr. | Granum or granæ. | A grain or grains. |
| Gtt. or gut. | Gutta or guttæ. | A drop or drops. |
| Haust. | Haustus. | A draught. |
| Ind. | Indico. | Daily. |
| Infus. | Infusum. | An infusion. |
| Inject. | Injectio. | An injection. |
| Min. or M. | Minim. | 1–60 of a fluid drachm |
| M. | Misce. | Mix |
| Mass. | Massa. | A mass |
| Mist. | Mistura. | A mixture. |
| Pil. | Pilula or pilulæ | A pill or pills. |
| ppt. | Preparata. | Prepared. |
| Pulv. | Pulvis. | A powder. |
| P.R.N. | Pro re nata. | As occasion requires. |
| q. s. | Quantum sufficit. | A sufficient quantity. |
| ℞ | Recipe. | Take. |
| Rad. | Radix. | A root. |
| S. or Sig. | Signatur. | Write. |
| ss. | Semisis. | A half. |
| Tinct. | Tinctura. | A tincture. |
| 2 dis. | Duo dis. | Every two hours. |
| f. ℥ or fl. | Fluid uncia or unciæ. | Fluid oz. or ounces. |
The succeeding chapter is composed of formulæ giving numerous examples of the different forms in which prescriptions are written. Good taste requires that all directions should be in the English language, and that hieroglyphics and absurd abbreviations should be discarded as much as possible. Very many physicians write the directions in latin, and the druggist is expected to write the same in English and attach a label thus written to the bottle containing the medicine. I have given some examples of the old-form prescriptions written entirely in latin, and also some where the new notation (figures, &c.) is used. Whoever reads them over will learn how to read prescriptions; but I have given none but such as I value highly, and I have used almost every one in my practice, and tested its excellence. I advise people to obtain these rather than those patent medicines whose composition is secret. The person who desires one of these prescribed medicines can obtain it by copying the formula accurately and taking it to a druggist. I adopt the usual